Lockable container

Abstract

A lockable container for a DVD box or the like comprises a frame and a closure member. The frame is formed from a first frame member and a second frame member which are hingedly connected together and pivotable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration the frame members co-operate to define an access opening whereby an article may be inserted into or removed from the frame. The article may alternatively pass through a larger opening with the frame members in the open configuration. The closure member is lockable on the frame when the frame members are in the closed configuration so as to substantially block the access opening and prevent adjustment of the frame members from the closed configuration.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A lockable container comprising: 
 a frame comprising a first frame member and a second frame member which are pivotally connected together and adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the two frame members in the closed configuration defining an access opening therebetween;    and a closure member adapted to be mounted on the frame in a blocking position over the access opening so as to block substantially all of the access opening and retain the frame members in the closed configuration, the closure member housing an elongate latch member which is axially movable between a latched position and an unlatched position; wherein 
 the latch member and the closure member are each provided with at least one engagement feature, the said features being interengaged when the latch member is in the latched position, and  
 the latch member and the frame are each provided with at least one engagement feature, the said features being interengaged when the latch member is adjusted to the latched position while the closure member is in the blocking position, and disengaged when the latch member is in the unlatched position; 
 whereby when the closure member is in the blocking position movement of the latch member from the unlatched position to the latched position prevents movement of the closure member from the blocking position; movement of the latch member to the unlatched position causing it to disengage from the frame and permit movement of the closure member to unblock the access opening and permit pivoting of the frame members to the open configuration;  
 the closure member being provided with a locking member adjustable between a locked position at which it engages the latch member in the latched position so as to retain the latch member against axial movement, and an unlocked position at which the locking member permits axial movement of the latch member.  
 
   
     
     
         2 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closure member is removable from the frame.  
     
     
         3 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the closure member and the latch member both have a plane of symmetry  
     
     
         4 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the latch member is provided with a region which is accessible to a user's finger when the latch member is in the unlatched position, whereby pushing on the said region will cause the latch member to move axially to the latched position.  
     
     
         5 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the access opening is the only opening to the inside of the frame when the frame members are in the closed configuration.  
     
     
         6 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the access opening includes two opposed sides and engagement features are provided along both of the said sides for engagement with corresponding engagement features on the latch member.  
     
     
         7 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a releasable cover for fitting over the access opening of the frame when the closure member is removed from the frame.  
     
     
         8 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the said cover is a rubber boot.  
     
     
         9 . A lockable container comprising: 
 a frame having an access opening;    and a closure member adapted to be mounted on the frame in a blocking position over the access opening so as to block substantially all of the access opening, the closure member housing an elongate latch member which is axially movable between a latched position and an unlatched position; wherein 
 the latch member and the closure member are each provided with at least one engagement feature, the said features being interengaged when the latch member is in the latched position, and  
 the latch member and the frame are each provided with at least one engagement feature, the said features being interengaged when the latch member is adjusted to the latched position while the closure member is in the blocking position, and disengaged when the latch member is in the unlatched position; 
 whereby when the closure member is in the blocking position movement of the latch member from the unlatched position to the latched position prevents movement of the closure member from the blocking position; movement of the latch member to the unlatched position causing it to disengage from the frame and permit the closure member to be removed from the frame;  
 the closure member being provided with a locking member adjustable between a locked position at which it engages the latch member in the latched position so as to retain the latch member against axial movement, and an unlocked position at which the locking member permits axial movement of the latch member.  
 
   
     
     
         10 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the frame comprises a first frame member and a second frame member which are pivotally connected together and adjustable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the two frame members in the closed configuration butting together and defining the access opening therebetween; whereby locking of the blocking member on the frame over the access opening prevents adjustment of the frame members to the open configuration.  
     
     
         11 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the access opening includes two opposed sides and engagement features are provided along both of the said sides for engagement with corresponding engagement features on the latch member.  
     
     
         12 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the closure member and the latch member both have a plane of symmetry.  
     
     
         13 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the frame has a plane of symmetry.  
     
     
         14 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a releasable cover for fitting over the access opening of the frame when the closure member is removed from the frame.  
     
     
         15 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the said cover is a rubber boot.  
     
     
         16 . A lockable container for a DVD box or the like, the container comprising a frame and a closure member, wherein: 
 the frame is formed from a first frame member and a second frame member which are hingedly connected together and pivotable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, in which closed configuration the frame members co-operate to define a generally parallelepiped frame structure having a single access opening at one face thereof, whereby a DVD box or the like may be inserted into or removed front the frame either through the access opening with the frame members in the closed configuration or through a larger opening with the frame members in the open configuration; and    the closure member is lockable on the frame when the frame members are in the closed configuration so as to substantially block the access opening and prevent adjustment of the frame members from the closed configuration.    
     
     
         17 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the closure member is removable from the frame.  
     
     
         18 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a releasable cover for fitting over the access opening of the frame when the closure member is removed from the frame.  
     
     
         19 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the said cover is a rubber boot.  
     
     
         20 . A lockable container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the closure member is lockable by means of a latch member housed therein, which is releasably securable in a position where it engages with both the closure member and the frame.